Station indicating means for automatic tuners



Jan. 6, 1942. E RoY J. LElsHMAN 2,258,950

I STATION INDICATING MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC TUNERS Filed Deo. 1, 1957 *6 yZ4, /62 Z'S IN VENTOR.'

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e 'Patented Jas. e,v 1942 l .Uewlsurlezn STATES PATENT- oFFI'CE2,268,950 I l STATION INDICATING MEANS FOR I AUTOMATIC TUNERS Le Roy J.Leishman, Los Angeles, Calif.

A Application December l, 1937, Serial No. 177,434

' 9 claims. (Cl.1is1z4.1)

This invention pertains to automatic tuning devices for radio sets andthe like, and more particularly to those having a series of manuallymovable arms each of which is adapted totune in a pre-selected stationafter an initial adjustment has been made. In devices of this kind thatare operated by levers, it is customary for the levers tobe providedwith springs that'return them after each operation to a rest, orlncperative, position. As a consequence; it is impossible to tell whatstation the set is tuned tol .by looking at the controls, and the tuningscale must therefore be referred to. Even this method of identificationis not satisfactory unless one is able toV identify the statins by theirdial read- -ings.-The present invention is directed towardthe'elimination of Athis difliculty. Its objects are to make it possibleinstantly toidentify the station to'which the set is tuned; to providemeans for illuminating the index tab vfor such station;

' operating lever., If the straight arm o'f the posi- .r which AI 'ispictured. 'From the foregoing de- 'scriptiom it will be evident that anypositionable member'may be rotated to the position in which j to alordamechanism-whereby the subsequent" tuning in of Aa diffrent station willautomatically 4cxtinguishthe illumination of the tab for the as it willgo, it'jwill assume the position shown in dotted lines and indicated bythe reference characters Fla. This will move positionable lever AI tothe position shown,'regardless of the position in which it might bewhenengaged by lever FI in its downward movement. Should lever AI `happen tobe in the angular position of lever A3,` it will'b'e obvious that theoperating lever wouldengage the end of the straight arm, causing it torotate with the downward motion of the tionable lever is found belowIshaft S in .an angular position 180 degrees from that of lever A3, therounded arm K3 would be above shaft S, and the downward movement oftheoperating ',lever would then engage this. rounded endandfrotate thepomtionable' lever to the angular position in .member Al is shownvr'nerely by pressing down the associated operating lever. Shaft S maythere- `fore be turned t'o any desired angular position by stationpreviously tuned in;` and to provide-means whereby only lone adjustingscrew at a time is 95 made accessible. YS

` till other objects will appear asthis description proceeds.- A

In the accompanying drawiigf Fig. 1 is a side -elevation of anautomatictuning mechanism equipped with applicants inveniw tion for selectivelylilluminating the 'station index tabs.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of vpart ofthe mechanism shown-in Fig. 1,taken online 2'-2 of Fig. 1.

ment in which the shutters move only a fraction any of'the operatinglevers, providing the cooperating positionable vlever has been pre-setin that 'position on the shaft while lthe operating lever is held down.

The pre-setting `operations areperformed in 'l the-'following manner:Cover strip I is removed from escutcheon'D .by taking out screws P-oneon each end ofthe strip. One of the operating levers, say. FI is thenpressed down. This brings set-screw R. behind' hole XI in-bar Y and intoalignment with hole' U in the escutcheon. With the lever stili helddown, a screw-driver is inserted through these ,holes and the-'set-screwloosened. Shaft S vniaythenbe turned while the positionable lever isheld'I stationary. Inasmuch as shaft S is operatively connected to thetuning of the distance required for the shutters m'condensers oftheradio set, the manual .tuning in inthe previous figures, but whichdoes notV co pletely admit orl exclude the light.

Fig. 5 is a` cross section of Fig. 4 on-line m Fig. 1,' Al, .u and A:are rotatable levers. f -'each having a curved arm and a relativelystraight arm bearing a set-screw R.="The operating levers FI and F2move-in the same planes respectively as rotatable levers AI and A2.-The. operating levers are `all pivotedl on a common 4smit Q, and therotatable 1evers are mountedin jvarlous angular positions on shaftSwhich is used to transmit rotatcry vmotion to the conA win, theset-screw is again tightened, and-the cover strip is replaced. Anysubsequent pressing of' lever FI 4will automatically time in thisstation. Other operating levers will bring in other stations if thecooperating positionable members 'are set in the manner just described.

. Levers FI and F2 are provided with springs J 'and J'fo'r returningthem to their rest position Aagainst bumper B', which in the formdisclosed denser gang. A If the operators. .nnger is placed 1s 'a tubeof rubber around rod QI. Other levers,

on button Wl and lever FI pressed as far dem .not'showm are equippedwith such springaand since all the levers therefore flip back up aftereach operation, it is impossible to tell what station is tuned in unlessthe dial is consulted. No dial is shown in the drawing, as the dialforms no part of this invention. To obviate the inconvenience ofreferring to the dial readings to identify the station that is tuned in,the present index tab for the lever last operated.

In Fig. 1, the station labelor index tab O is shown in a recess betweenthe holder M and the escutcheon D. Holder M has a window N through whichthe tab may be seen from the front of the set, and the escutcheon has awindow Na through which the tab is illuminated. Member G, Fig. 2,extends across the front of the tuner assembly from one end plate to theother, and is provided with windows TI, T2, T3- one for each index tab.Member G has a perpendicular projection Bat the top and anotherprojection 1 at the bottom. Projection 1 is stamped, as shown in Fig. 3,to form guides for vertical members CI, C2, C3 and C4, Fig. 2, withtheir'shutter projections VI. V2, V3 and V4.

Members CI to C4 are movably fastened at the bottom by ears ZI, Z2, Z3and Z4, which may be punched on bar Y, and which t into slots 8 ofmembers C I, C2, C3 and C4 respectively. These vertical members eachhave a slot 9 near their upper ends. Down the center of each of theseslots extends a tongue I0, which is integral with the member. Anexpansion spring II surrounds each tongue I0. One end of each spring II.

presses against guide member 1, and the other end forces the .verticalmember upward against bumper B2.

y in position as soon as it passes the' lower edge of invention providesmeans for illuminating the the latch bar. Shutter V2 is then belowwindow T2, and the .associated index tab, not shown, then become theilluminated one. The operating lever then returns to its rest positionagainstl bumper B.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that the illuminatedindex tab always indicates the lever that was' last pressed down.

'I'he same result may be attained without the shutters by providing eachindex tab with an by the same lamps used for the dial, is less Iex- XI,X2, X3 and Xl in bar Y.

Member G has a series of lugs I4 for preventing lateral movement of theupper ends of the vertically movable members.

When the slidable shutter members are in their normal position againstbumper B2, light from the lamp L is intercepted by the shutterprojections VI, V2, V3 and V4, thus preventing the illumination of theindex tabs, as no light can then pass through the corresponding winvdowsTI, T2, T3 and TI, but if one of the levers, say FI, is depressed, thelever engages projection I2 on member CI and pulls the shutter memberdown to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the shutter VI belowwindow Tl permitting the light to pass through windows TI and Na, Fig.l, and illuminate tab O. 'I'he operating lever then occupies theposition indicated by Fla in Fig. 2. The shutter is held in this lowerlposition by latch bar E, which engages projection I5a formed on theshutter, but the operating lever returns to its original position. Thelatch bar extends all the way across the tuning device and lies in thepath of projections I5a, I5b and lic on all the shutters. On one end ofthe latch bar a spring J3 isfastened above the pivot Q3,

which may be integral with the bar, or a rod or stud journaled in endplate I'Ia. The other end of this springis fastened to stud QI. Thetension of this spring pulls the latch bar against pin Q5 on plate IIa.At its other end, the bar has a pivot Q6, Fig. 2, in end plate Ilb, anda spring J4 acting in conjunction with spring J3 lpreviously described.The subsequent tuning in individual lamp and using similarlatch-controlled members tov operate switches that are individual to thelamps. I prefer, however, the embodiment of the invention shown in thefigures, as it permits the illumination of the tabs pensive, and doesnot entail diiliculties due to faulty contacts or the burning out of thelamps.

If the index tabs are placed above the levers as shown in the drawing,instead of below the levers as in my Patent No. 2,084,851, the removalof strip I, Fig. l, reveals all theset-screw holes Only one setscrew,however, will be in perfect alignment with the correspondinghole, andthat one will be the set-screw for the positionable member cooperatingwith the operating lever that was last pressed down; but the set-screwsfor any positionable levers that have been set at only slightlydifferent angular positions will also be visible through the adjustingholes. This sometimes causes confusion to a novice which is adjustingthe device-to bring in a group of desired stations, or who may bechanging the station for a given lever. To overcome this diiliculty, thepresent invention provides means for covering all the set-screws exceptthe one in the lever that is to be set. The vertically movable membersCI, C2, C3 and Cl are provided with masking portions lia, lib, IGc andlid, that cover the adjusting holes when members C are in their upperpositions. When one of these members is pressed down, however, theopening I3 reveals the corresponding set-screw hole, as shown by openingI3 in vertically movable member CI, Figs. 1 and 2. I

It may be thought desirable to have all the index tabs dimly illuminatedat all times and ythe index tab for the tuned-ln station merelyilluminated to a greater degree, or to achieve the objectives of thisinvention with a vertically movable member having less travel than thearrangement previously described. This may be accomplished by themodiiication shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this arrangement, each of thewindows TI, T2 and T3 of the preceding ilgures is replaced by a seriesof openings Ta, and shutter V has a series of openings or transparentsections Tb that are normally hidden behind the solid portions betweenthe openings Ta. If shut.

ter V is moved down a distance equal to the height of one of theseopenings, an examination of Figs. 4 and 5 will disclose the fact thatopenings Tb will register with the lower two openings Ta, thuspermitting light to pass therethrough, and that light may also passthrough vthe higher ofV the Ta. -openings because the upper opaquesection .of the shutter will have moved behind the solid section betweenthe two higher openings in member G. This embodiment of the invention oicourse requires much less longi- .tudinal movement of members C than thearrangement previously described in which the' shutters either liebehind or completely vbelow windows T.

It will be understood that my selective indextab illuminating means maybe used with any tuner having a manually movable member for each of agroup of pre-selected stations, and that the' form of tuning mechanismshown in Fig. 1

is described in this specication merely to illustrate the use of thepresent invention with tuners of this general type. v

While I prefer the form of my invention shown inFigs. l; 2 and 3, itwill be obvious that various modifications may be made from theembodiments disclosed without departing from the spirit of v'theinvention. n

My claims are:

position, an lindicating means comprising, in combination, va lightsource; an opaque shield having a plurality of windows therein; and amovable shutter for each window adapted to screen said window vfromlight from said source when said shutter is in a iirst position: said.shutter movable to a second position in which it does not lscreen saidwindow from said light;

` and a plurality of means each individual to one 1. In a radio tuningapparatus having a mov-l I able control element and a plurality of meansfor eecting the movement of said element each to a predeterminedposition vand each comprising an independently operable manual,indicating means including, in combination, a light source; I

an index tab for each of said manuals; a movable shutter foreach index`tab adapted to screen said tab from light from said source when saidshutter is in a restive position; and a plurality of Ameans eachindividual to one of said manuals for moving the associated shutter fromsaid restive position upon operation of the amociated manual.

2. In a radio tuning apparatus having a movable control element and aplurality of means for moving said element each to a predeterminedposition and each comprising an operating device, a combination forindicating the -last device operated, said combination including, alight source; an index'tab for each of said operating devices; a movableshutter forv each index tab tion that will permit light from said sourceto illuminate said tab; means for locking said shut- A adapted to screensaid tab from light from said vsource when said shutter is in a restivefirst position; said shutter movable to a second positer in said secondposition; and a plurality of means each individual to one of saidoperating devices and to one of said shutters for moving the associatedshutter lfrom said Aiirst positionv vto said second position uponoperation of the associated operating device. r

3. In a radio tuning apparatus having a mov-' ofsaid operablemeans andto one of said shutters for moving the Yassociated shutter from saidfirst position to said second position upon operation of the associatedoperable means.

v5. In a radio tuning apparatus having a positionable tuning element anda plurality of independently voperable means for effecting the movementof said element each'to a predetermined position, an indicating meanscomprising,

in combination, a light source; an opaque shield having aplurality ofwindows therein; a movable shutter for each window acting to screen saidwindow from light from said source when means for unlocking said shutterupon the sub.-v

sequent operation of any other of said operable means.

6. In a radio tuningapparatus having a positionable tuning element and apluralityof independently operable positioning means for effectingmovement of said element each to a predetermined position, an indicatingmeans comprising, in combination, a 'plurality of index tabs; means forilluminating said tabs. comprising alight source; a plurality of movablemembers each individual to one of said tabs and held by a retainingspring in a first position in which said member intercepts light raySpassing from said source to the tab associated with said member; each ofsaid members having means able control element and a plurality of meansfor effecting the movement of said element each to a predeterminedposition and each comprising an operating membermovable independently ofthe other operating members, an indicating means including, incombination, a light source;

an index tab for each of said operating members;

a movable shutter for each index tab adapted to vscreen said tab fromlight from said source when said shutter is in arestive first position;

' saidshutter movable toa second position in` which it does not screensaid tab from said light; means for locking said shutter in said secondposition; and a plurality of means each individual to one o! saidoperating members and to one of said shuttersfor moving the associated lshutter from said first position to said second position upon operationof the associated operating members; and means for unlocking saidshutter upon the, subsequent operation of any other of said operablemeans.

4. `In a radio tuning apparatus having a movable control element and aplurality of indeing means.

by which it is moved by one-of said positioning means to a secondposition in which said member does not intercept said light rays; meansfor locking said member in said second position; and means for unlockingsaid member upon the subsequent operation of any other of said position-'7. In a radio tuning sitionable tuning element and a plurality o i.'independently operable positioning means foreifecting the movement ofsaid element each to a predetermined position, an indicating means 60comprising', in combination, a plurality of index -tabs each individualto one of said positioning means; means for illuminating said ta-bscomprising alightA source; a plurality' of vmovable members eachindividum to one of said tabs and to one' of said positioning means,leach of said :members normally held by a retaining spring in a iirstposition in which said member intercepts light rays passing from saidsource to the tab associated with said member; each of said, membersadapted to be engaged by the associated' positioning means andmoved to asecond position-in which said member does not intercept pendentlyoperable means for eecting the .move- A ment of said element each to yapredetermined u. tion; each of said members having means to said lightrays; and a latching means adapted` to lock any of said members in saidsecond posiapparatus having a poactuate said latching means to unlockthe previously locked member. l.

8. In a radio tuning apparatus having a positionable tuning element anda plurality oi selectively operable positioning means for effecting themovement of said element each to a predetermined position and eachcomprising adjustable position-predetermining means -having a screw formaintaining the adjustment thereof, a combination including: a shieldhaving apertures individual to,each of said screws; an index tab foreach of said positioning means; means for illuminating said tabscomprising alight source; a plurality of movable members each adapted tomask one of said apertures and to substantially shield one of said tabsfrom light from said source; and a plurality of means each individualto'one of said members and operable by one of said positioning means formoving the associated `member toa position in which it does not mask theassociated aperture and shield the associated tab.

9. In a radio tuning apparatus having a posii tionable tuning elementand a plurality of selectively operable positioning means for effectingthe movement of said element each to a predetermined position and eachcomprising an adjustable device held in adjustment by a screw forpredetermining said position, a combination including: a'shield havingapertures individual to each of said screws; an index tab 'for each ofsaid positioning means; means for illuminating lnot mask said aperturenor shield said tab;

means for locking said member in said position; and means for unlockingsaid member upon the subsequent operation of another one of said p0-sitioning means.

LE ROY J. LEISHMAN.

